CMC nurse gets suspended sentence in fatal insulin dose case

By PAT GROSSMITHNew Hampshire Union Leader

DERRY — A registered nurse, who told police she gave her brother-in-law a fatal dose of insulin to alleviate his suffering, was given a suspended sentence after she pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor offense of possessing a drug without a prescription.

Catherine George, 49, of Derry, also permanently surrendered her registered nursing license as part of a negotiated plea deal.

George entered the guilty plea Thursday in 10th Circuit Court, Derry District Division. She was given a 30-day sentence, all suspended for two years on condition of good behavior.

"This has been a difficult time for her and her family," said defense attorney Maryellen Biletch of Manchester. "She just wants to put this behind her and move forward."

On Oct. 14, 2012, George went to the Derry police station and confessed she gave a lethal dose of insulin to her cancer-stricken brother-in-law Randall Percival, 55, of Raymond.

According to the state Board of Nursing, George told police she injected him with 300 milliliters of insulin so he would no longer suffer. She turned over a large syringe and a glass vial of Novolog insulin saying her brother-in-law didn't need to suffer anymore.

Three hundred milliliters is what a Type 1 diabetic would receive over several months.

Her confession came five days after Percival's death and after his remains were cremated. The cause of his death was listed as metastatic cholangiocarcinoma or cancer of the bile duct.

According to the Attorney General's Office, because there was no autopsy and no physical evidence to corroborate George's admission, the state did not have proof beyond a reasonable doubt to prosecute a charge against her in the death of Percival, who worked in optical engineering and was the father of two and grandfather of one.

George was a registered nurse since 1994 and never had a licensing problem, according to the Nursing Board. She was employed by Catholic Medical Center in Manchester at the time of her brother-in-law's death but was suspended once they learned of her admission.